The MVC changed its postseason baseball tournament bracket where it puts the bottom four teams in two single-elimination games before the double-elimination tournament.

At 7-11 in conference play, the Bears are three games behind both Bradley and Evansville at 10-8 — who are tied for the fourth and fifth spots in MVC standings.

Because Bradley swept MSU and Evansville won two of three games against the Bears, Missouri State would be unable to jump either team in the standings, guaranteeing a spot in the single-elimination game.

The Missouri State Bears took on the Arkansas Razorbacks at Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo. on ...more

The Missouri State Bears took on the Arkansas Razorbacks at Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo. on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.

Nathan Papes/News-Leader

Missouri State will open MVC Tournament play with a game at 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. on May 21.

Before then, the Bears will have three games against Valparaiso — which is one game behind MSU in the conference standings. The winner of the series will finish ahead of the other while there is a strong possibility both teams meet in the single-elimination tournament game.

The Bears will likely rest some players during the final regular-season weekend series in order to be at full strength in the conference tournament.

MSU's weekend series with Valparaiso begins Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Hammons Field.